Self-Care Activities

Self-care is a term that describes doing activities that support your physical and mental health. These activities can help decrease your stress and enhance your energy and overall well-being. Some self-care activities are passive, like taking a bath. Others are more active, like exercising. You can think of it like having a toolbox filled with a lot of different types of tools. Depending on your mood or the occasion, you might need or prefer to use one tool over the others.

If you’re looking to add new tools to your self-care toolbox, take a look at this list of 99 activities you can try to help boost your well-being:

1. Journal about your feelings.
2. Meditate for 10 minutes.
3. Move your body in some way, such as by running, walking, or lifting weights.
4. Spend time in nature.
5. Take a mental health day.
6. Buy yourself a gift.
7. Read a book.
8. Practice deep breathing.
9. Take a “digital detox,” or a break from social media.
10. Practice gratitude by listing five things you’re grateful for.
11. Take a drive.
12. Enjoy some comfort food.
13. Dance to your favorite song.
14. Get a massage.
15. Do a self-massage.
16. Take a nap.
17. Listen to music.
18. Take a yoga class or stretch on your own.
19. Call a loved one on the phone.
20. Go on a day trip.
21. Practice mindfulness.
22. Give yourself a manicure.
23. Take a shower or bath.
24. Change your environment or scenery.
25. Donate time or money to a cause that you care about.
26. Repeat an affirmation, like “you are enough,” out loud.
27. Schedule an affirmation to play each day on your phone.
28. Reflect on an important moment in your life.
29. Go to a park and enjoy people watching.
30. Curl up with a blanket.
31. Make a bucket list and cross off one of the items.
32. Plan a family game night.
33. Get a good night’s rest.
34. Make a scrapbook.
35. Attend a class to learn something new.
36. Practice acceptance of yourself and others.
37. Listen to an inspirational podcast.
38. Plan an especially nutritious meal.
39. Make a collage of positive quotes and photos.
40. Have an outdoor picnic.
41. Watch the stars at night.
42. Sculpt something on your own or in a class.
43. Be mindful of your caffeine consumption.
44. Do a face mask.
45. Paint a picture.
46. Try something new that you’ve always wanted to do.
47. Hug someone you care about.
48. Go bird-watching.
49. Blow bubbles to mindfully slow down your breathing.
50. Take photos of nature.
51. Schedule a healthcare appointment that you’ve been putting off.
52. Join a support group.
53. Have an at-home spa day.
54. Watch a movie.
55. Light a candle.
56. Go for an outdoor hike.
57. Do a puzzle.
58. Join a club or sports team.
59. Plant a garden.
60. Read or watch something funny.
61. Browse your local library or bookstore.
62. Play an instrument.
63. Pray.
64. Make a smoothie.
65. Listen to a guided imagery exercise.
66. Write down five of your personal strengths.
67. Tell another person five things that you admire about them.
68. Do a crossword puzzle.
69. Write a poem.
70. Organize a drawer or room in your home.
71. Cuddle your pet.
72. Ride a bicycle.
73. Create a playlist of your favorite songs.
74. Face one of your fears.
75. Visit an animal shelter.
76. Spend time in the sun.
77. Color in a coloring book.
78. Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea.
79. Set a boundary or say “no” to something that doesn’t serve you.
80. Take yourself on a date.
81. Make a dish from scratch.
82. Write a letter to a friend or family member.
83. Diffuse essential oils.
84. Listen to an audiobook.
85. Fly a kite.
86. Do a sudoku puzzle. 
87. Take a trip to a local museum.
88. Smile while looking in the mirror.
89. Notice five sensations using each of your five senses.
90. Watch a sunrise or sunset.
91. Watch cute animal videos.
92. Make a flower arrangement.
93. Explore a landmark in your neighborhood that you’ve never visited.
94. Do something that you loved as a child.
95. Learn a new joke.
96. Make a vision board.
97. Eat a sweet treat mindfully.
98. Contact a support line.
99. Schedule a therapy session.